You know you can't just beat them

That is what my wife says. 3 children, 6 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and never got a stretch mark.

We have his,hers,ours, and theirs. I have 3, She has one, we have 2, and we adopted a granddaughter. One of mine was adopted and I adopted hers. The oldest is 42. The youngest is 17. They are all our family. No difference between blood and step children.

As it should be. Blended families can be both a headache, and the most rewarding thing ever.

I thought there was an exception for the red headed ones?

I feel much closer to my step sister than my biological sister

There is. BTW, you know why God gave some people red hair? It's a warning label.

After an emotional argument about her having to clean her room (as her mother instructed, then left to travel for work) between her and me, when she was maybe 12 or 13, I've been closer to my stepdaughter than my own two girls. Some, because she was with me more growing up, so she actually knows me better than they do. My wife has treated them all from the jump as hers, and now she busts her butt as "Grammy" to six grandchildren, with zero distinction as to which are blood. I was very lucky that my stepson wasn't overly protective of Mom when I came on the scene, as many understandably are. He just wanted a buddy, and we did in fact bond pretty well. Stubborn boy though; politely always did what he wanted, no matter how we tried to guide him. He's a good, family man now; 'just having to reap what he sowed.

Ex is strawberry-blond. I don't recommend any tinge of red. Stepson's wife is deep red. Big ol' gal.

I have two. The boy calls me dad sometimes, the daughter calls me by my name. Would'nt trade em for the world. They now have two fathers. They spend more time with me as thier father isnt around as much. Does come around, just not as often. We get along. Have sat with him and his wife for dinner several times. No issues. No reason to have any issues, I respect him and he respects me.

I once got a Father's Day card from my wife's ex in-laws. Let that sink in. They have taken us to dinner and thanked me personally for being there. They are getting quite elderly and in poor health. I'll have to go to a funeral soon and listen to their arrogant son speak. He always speaks. 'Thinks he's God's gift to everyone. He admitted at the end of their marriage that he had pondered how to run off the road, hit a telephone pole, and kill his, now my, wife...to avoid the embarrassment of divorce. (At the time, he'd already rolled around with one of his female residents - no, he didn't get accepted into medical school.) He recently had his nipples pierced. He's 70. Nope...I do not respect that idiot.

I'm sorry,but that is funny

Oh, it's quite the family conversation topic, let me tell you.

As a general rule, you will always be less important than the stepchild. It’s just something keep in mind for the future.

You're single. Could you elaborate on your experience in this area to substantiate your "general rule" ?